The largest flower in the Philippines and second in the world is set to bloom anew anytime this month at the Kalanganan area in San Vicente, Baungon, Bukidnon province.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the rare and endangered species called “Rafflesia” (Rafflesia shadenbergiana) was only discovered in 2007.
It was first discovered in 1882 in Mt. Parag adjacent to Mt. Apo by Dr. Alexander Schadenberg, a German ethnologist who made several explorations in the Philippines.
Following its rediscovery in 1882, there were no other recorded sightings of this species.
For more than a century, it was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2007 in the mountain slopes of the municipality of Baungon in Bukidnon.
According to the DENR, this is the 7th bloom since its rediscovery, and has a diameter of about 80 centimeters or 31 inches.
It is considered as the second largest rafflesia species in the world and the largest in the Philippines.
Rafflesia schadenbergiana is a species of Rafflesia found only in the Philippines.
Rafflesia is listed as critically-endangered under Administrative Order No. 2007-01 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
As such, the DENR and the local government unit of Baungon are working on the establishment of the area where the rafflesia was found as critical habitat pursuant to Section 25 of R.A. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
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